Petaurista nobilis (Gray, 1842)

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Sciuridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 648-837 : 773

147.

Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel

Petaurista nobilis

French: Pétauriste noble / German: Bhutan-Riesengleithornchen / Spanish: Ardilla voladora gigante de Butéan

Other common names: Gray's Giant Flying Squirrel, Noble Giant Flying Squirrel

Taxonomy. Sciuropterus nobilis Gray, 1842 ,

Darjeeling, India.

Two subspecies are recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P.n.nobilisGray,1842—Nepal,Sikkim,andNEIndia(NWestBengal).

P. n. singhei Saha, 1975 — Bhutan.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 347-490 mm, tail 378-490 mm; weight c.2.3-3 kg. The Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel is large and heavy-bodied; upper parts are bright chestnut-brown, with yellow tips on some of hairs; and underparts are pale rufous. It is pale fulvous on top of head, on shoulders, and in narrow streak down middle of upperpart of back. It has dark maroon saddle and patagium edge. There is distinctive

bright orange-buff area on forehead. Tail is dark orange-brown, with black tip. Subspecies singhei has thick woolly orange-buff or brownish buff hair; dark dorsal saddle with shoulder patches; black-tipped tail; yellow, orange, or brownish patagium; and pale or yellowish venter.

Habitat. Subtropical forests and temperate broadleaf, montane, montane pine, and rhododendron forests at elevations of 1500-3000 m.

Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species.

Breeding. Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrels appear to breed in March-April.

Activity patterns. Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrels are nocturnal and are often active at dawn or dusk.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrels are frequently sighted on the ground, often seeking mineral licks along newly cleared roads.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. Current population trend of the Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel is decreasing. Threats include habitat loss and degradation due to logging, mining operations, dam construction, expansion of human settlements, and hunting for local consumption. It is included in the Schedule II (Part II) of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. More surveys and basic research onits distribution, population status, and natural history are needed to better understand threats and useful conservation action. Populations confined to small habitat fragments can potentially lead to decreased numbers and increased inbreeding and inbreeding depression.

Bibliography. Choudhury (2002), Ghose & Saha (1981), Jackson (2012), Jackson & Thorington (2012), Koli (2016), Saha (1975), Thapa et al. (2010), Thorington et al. (2012).

Figures

135. Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Buswamoyopterus biswasi), 136. Laotian Giant Flying Squirrel (Buswamoyopterus laoensis), 138. Red Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista petaurista), 139. Chinese Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista xanthotis), 140. Red-and-white Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaunista alborufus), 141. Indian Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista philippensis), 142. Gray-headed Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista caniceps), 143. Hodgson’sGiant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista magnificus), 144. Mechuka Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaunrista mechukaensis), 145. Mebo Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista siangensis), 146. Mishmi Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista mishmiensis), 147. Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista nobilis)